This year’s $30,000 cash AMP (Australian Music Prize) has been awarded to The Jezebals for their album Prisoner.

The Jezabels were up against some stiff competition in Gotye and Boy & Bear, but as Music Feeds reported last month, the AMP often goes to lesser-exposed acts.

That’s not to say this year’s award wasn’t surrounded in controversy. Doubtful Sounds posted an article explaining that the Group Managing Editor of Street Press Australia, Andrew Mast, stepped down as a judge. Mast felt that this year’s finalists did not represent the wide range of talent in Australian music.

Much online discussion was had over whether the AMP was seeking out quality music or just appealing to acts already popular among triple j’s audience.

In any event, congratulations to The Jezabels, the winners of the 2012 AMP Award